Pradeep Kharola Rejoins Air India as Executive Director to Oversee CEO Handover
His immediate appointment is meant to bring institutional memory and hands-on management to steady operations and the search for a new chief executive.
Overview
- Air India announced on Monday, June 22 that Pradeep Singh Kharola has joined with immediate effect as Executive Director and Executive Advisor to Chairman N. Chandrasekaran and as a full member of the airline’s management committee.
- CEO Campbell Wilson told staff that Kharola’s experience will help ensure a smooth transition while Wilson completes his notice period and prepares to leave in the coming months.
- The airline is conducting a formal CEO selection process with Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal and former Vistara CEO Vinod Kannan reported as frontrunners for the role.
- Kharola’s arrival comes as Air India manages near-term shocks and cost pressure, including fallout from the Ahmedabad incident, geopolitical disruptions to international routes, a new no-meals fare, temporary network cuts, and a major fleet refurbishment programme.
- Kharola combines executive experience running Air India (2017–2019) and service as Civil Aviation Secretary during privatisation, a background that could smooth operational programs, reassure staff and partners, and speed decisions during the leadership and fleet transitions.